Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper has spoken of the challenges of relying on the loan system.
Middlesbrough loanee Djed Spence caught the eye with a sterling performance in Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw against Sheffield United, and has impressed since making the move to the City Ground.
As have the Blades’ Max Lowe and Watford’s Philip Zinckernagel, while the Reds will be hoping Manchester United’s James Garner starts to find the kind of form he showed last season, while Jordi Osei-Tutu soon returns from injury rehabilitation at Arsenal.
Forest fans have expressed a wish to see some of the quintet, at least, put pen to paper on a permanent basis.
Ojeda plans
Summer signing Braian Ojeda has caught the eye of Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper in training.
And the Welshman says he is just waiting for the right moment to hand the midfielder his Reds debut.
Ojeda has been an unused substitute for the last three games as he works his way up to getting on the pitch for the first time.
It looked as though he might have got a run-out against Sheffield United on Tuesday night, when Ryan Yates required treatment on the pitch. There was some in-depth discussion on the touchline, before it was clear Yates was fine to carry on.
Spence's future
Djed Spence says he is flattered by the support from Nottingham Forest fans who are keen to see him sign for the club on a permanent basis.
But he insists his long-term future isn’t on the agenda as he concentrates on helping the Reds keep climbing the Championship table.
Spence has impressed since joining on loan from Middlesbrough in the summer, becoming integral to Steve Cooper’s preferred 3-4-3 formation in the right wing-back role.
It is the type of form which has left plenty of Forest followers eager for him to stay beyond the end of his season-long spell - with “agent” Lyle Taylor regularly joking on social media that he is trying to get a deal done.
Opposition verdict
Preston North End head coach Frankie McAvoy has praised the impact Steve Cooper has had at Nottingham Forest.
The Reds host the Lilywhites at the City Ground on Saturday looking to end a run of three games without a win as they go into the international break.
It has still been some turnaround in form since Cooper took charge, though, with the Welshman overseeing just one defeat in eight games.
Forest had been rock bottom of the Championship table under previous boss Chris Hughton, but Cooper has got them playing entertaining football and picking up results - showing their character with some dramatic late goals.
